News from across the London Borough of Lambeth

A solo exhibition of paintings by artist and musician John Squire will open at Newport Street Gallery next month.

‘Disinformation’ runs from 11 September to 10 November and will feature a new series of Squire’s large-scale oil paintings based on photographs he has taken or sourced online.

Squire alters the images using editing software to create partially distorted, fragmented scenes that are then enlarged from their original small-screen format and rendered in the conventional medium of oil and canvas.

John said: “I wanted to experiment with the limits of modern technology and how this could be combined with traditional painting techniques.”

No Signal, 2018. Copyright: John Squire.

The figures in Squire’s work blend, blur and collide with their surroundings leaving their features confused and sometimes entirely lost.

John said: “I think the images call to mind both the fragility of human existence and the reality of distortion on the internet.”

Squire was a founding member and lead guitarist of the Stone Roses from 1984 to 1996 and is known for his role in defining the band’s iconic visual aesthetic.

Since leaving the group Squire has released two solo albums and displayed artwork across the UK.

The Dust That Turns in Sunbeams, 2019. Copyright: John Squire

‘Disinformation’ will display in two of the gallery’s six spaces and be accompanied by a fully illustrated catalogue featuring an interview with Squire by artist Michael Joo.

A large group exhibition of works from the gallery’s collection will run alongside Squire’s show. Displayed across four galleries, pieces from major artists and emerging names will be included.

An opening reception for both exhibitions will be held on Tuesday 10 September (6–8pm).

Newport Street gallery opened in Vauxhall in 2015 and is the realisation of Damien Hirst’s long-term ambition to share his extensive collection of art with the public.